Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against me. That is why I did not let you touch her.

Genesis 20-21

Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against me. That is why I did not let you touch her. Genesis 20:6

Day 8 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on Abraham's deception of Abimelek and the expulsion of Hagar and Ishmael.

With his lie to Abimelek that Sarah is his sister, once again Abraham displays what my commentary* indicates as a "tendency toward deception" which represents the "same character flaw [that] will be seen again in his son and grandsons. It simply stands as a warning that even men and women of faith can lapse into great sin".

The commentary* goes on to state that "if there is any encouragement, however, it is in knowing that while there is bad in the best of mankind, there is also good in the worst. As a Canaanite, Abimelek is not a believer in the true God, and undoubtedly engages in common heathen practices. Yet he asserts in his defense to God that he has acted in good conscience, even if he is somehow still guilty in God’s eyes; then he responds to divine rebuke with repentance, generosity, and kindness".

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) . Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

We should take comfort in knowing how God uses ordinary people such as Abraham and ourselves, as He redeems our sin and uses it for His glory - doing amazing things in the process. 

I am also comforted by John Piper's post on God's providence and sovereignty by both restraining Satan and evil AND prompting good.  He is in control.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God and You ARE in control restraining evil and prompting good - You redeem my sin and have saved me - thank You Jesus!  I am not worthy of such love and blessings.  I worry and am often very difficult with others.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to Your Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.

Genesis 18-19

For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him. Genesis 18:19

Day 7 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on the back half of the story when angels who visit Abraham and Sarah and deliver once again the message of their coming child and as well the story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (including Lot's escape).

As the angels visiting Abraham and Sarah leave, the Lord delivers this very convicting message about the role of fathers - Genesis 18:19. My day yesterday included the sin of rage of a father over his son - and I have asked both God and my son for forgiveness and both are full of grace.  My own dysfunction is echoed further in the story of Sodom and Gomorrah's destruction when in Genesis 19 a conflict ensues at Lot's house about men storming his door to have sex with the angels visiting him.  Lot seeks to spare the angels but strangely enough offers his own daughters as an alternative.  God...in all of His grace spares Lot and his daughters - but not Lot's wife who disobeys God strict command to not turn back - she is turned into a pillar of salt.  Lot and his daughters are spared but they don't focus on God's grace and instead turn to their own powers in an effort to extend their line. 

DesiringGod.com has this great post about family dysfunction and how God redeems it all.

I am grateful indeed how God uses it all and seek to turn to Him - I want to become more like Him every day.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who loves me and who uses all of my dysfunction and sin for Your glory...and You are so full of grace and mercy.  Thank You Jesus!  Please forgive me for my rage and help me overcome and turn from my impatience and rage towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.”

Genesis 18-19

But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.” Genesis 18:15

Day 7 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on angels who visit Abraham and Sarah and deliver once again the message of their coming child and as well the story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (including Lot's escape).

Today was admittedly a difficult day of my own doing and so I am going to keep this post short given my inability to focus.

When Sarah laughs after hearing the angel's message (Genesis 18:10-12), she denies it (Genesis 18:15) - yet Sarah's heart condition is known because "this heavenly Visitor has correctly perceived her disbelief".

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) . Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition. 

God knows everything about us, including what we think and all of our sin.  Yet He loves us - that is grace, grace indeed.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace - I am NOT deserving!  I rage with anger and impatience and so much more sin - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“Your slave is in your hands,” Abram said. “Do with her whatever you think best.” Then Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her.

Genesis 15-17

“Your slave is in your hands,” Abram said. “Do with her whatever you think best.” Then Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her.  Genesis 16:6

Day 6 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on God's renewal of His covenant with Abram that from Abram will be a "great nation" (Genesis 12) and on the birth of Abram's son through Hagar (Ishmael) as well as the coming birth of son through his and Sarai's own blood (Issac).

About 2.5 years ago, I posted on Abram's passivity as a man when Sarai's patience for fulfillment of God's promise ran thin.  I do agree that Abram should not have agreed to Sarai's plan and both should have been more patient.  Yet this morning my focus is on patience and the havoc we wreak when we seek to impose our will vs God's will - particularly when we know God's will.

This is a contrast in patience - Abram and Sarai while largely patient, demonstrate at least a moment of impatience; yet God is perfectly patient, slow to anger and abounding in love. 

We know that Ishmael and his descendants live in hostility with those of Issac, God even foretells of this hostility (see Genesis 16:11-12). This hostility rages on with intensity to this day!  That's how off the rails Sarai's plan took things.

John Piper helps us this morning with this post, and by pointing us to Isaiah:

Blessed are all who wait for him! Isaiah 30:18

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who love me and who has poured out so much grace, compassion, and mercy for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  I worry and I speak ill of others - please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to accept You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“With raised hand I have sworn an oath to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’ I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me—to Aner, Eshkol and Mamre. Let them have their share.”

Genesis 12-14

“With raised hand I have sworn an oath to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’ I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me—to Aner, Eshkol and Mamre. Let them have their share.” Genesis 14:22-24

Day 5 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on God's call of Abram.

Abram is called by God to a land that He will show him (Genesis 12:1-4) and Abram goes with his wife Sarai, and his nephew Lot.  Soon after his arrival famine struck the land (Genesis 12:10) and Abram moves on towards Egypt.  It is here where Abram hopes to prevent Pharaoh from killing him and seizing Sarai (due to her beauty) - he deceives Pharaoh and refers to Sarai as his sister (Genesis 12:12-13).  The plot falls apart and they are all expelled from Egypt (Genesis 12:20).

Abram and Lot soon separate with Lot settling in Sodom while Abram settles in Hebron. Sodom is sacked during a war of the kings and Lot is taken captive (Genesis 14:12). Abram bravely rescues Lot (Genesis 14:14-16) and is met by Melchizedek king of Salem who blesses Abram and offers Abram to keep the tenth of everything Abram offers Melchizedek (see Biblical references to Melchizedek here).  

Abram's great faith is known, and while he might perhaps be best known by other events in his life (most notably by his willingness to sacrifice his own son Issac - see Genesis 22) I think it is important to pause and highlight Abram's response to Melchizedek's offer to Abram to keep the goods Abram tithes to Melchizedek (Genesis 14:12). I agree with the assessment offered here by David McLemore:

"Abram, for his part, gave instead of took. True faith has that effect. When given the two choices of giving God the glory or take the spoils of war, the man of faith glorifies God. “I have lifted my hand to the Lord, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’” Abram knew where his riches truly came from".

This is one of the great ironies of the Bible for great men of faith.  We often see great recognition of those (such as Abraham) who seek not glory for themselves but glory for God - once again - this is why exist.  

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are - You are indeed the source of all that I am and all that I possess.  Thank You Jesus for blessing me well beyond what I deserve.  I sin...daily, including my neglect of You over earthly matters.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me turn from my sin towards You and love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”

Genesis 10-11

“Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.” Genesis 11:4

Day 4 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on the ancestral lineage of Noah's sons, and in particular from Shem to Abram; it also includes the story of the Tower of Babel.

As I did in yesterday's post, it is important to emphasize that we exist to glorify God.  While many in today's culture delight in diversity, without saying this is good or bad, it is of note to think about how commonness of language (see Genesis 11:1) might ease cooperation and unity in early people groups (although not necessarily guarantee it).  Unity is then used as a source to build the Tower of Babel as indicated in Genesis 11:3 where it is said "They said to each other"....This unity is then used as a basis to reject God's sovereignty as the people sought to make a name for themselves vs God.

We all seek significance and recognition - yet our significance is found in God.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You alone reign over all and You are worthy of worship.  You are King of kings and Lord of lords.  You have also adopted me into Your family - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love.  I sin daily...seek glory for myself.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

And Noah did all that the Lord commanded him.

Genesis 6-9

And Noah did all that the Lord commanded him. Genesis 6:22, 7:5

Day 3 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on Noah and the Great Flood.

Broadly speaking, it is certainly noteworthy to highlight how quickly sin becomes the big story here - it all begins with falling prey to the temptation and seduction of the world.  God desires holiness and righteousness from us yet those who led a more righteous life (indicated in my study* as those from Seth's line) chose to marry women from the less righteous line (Cain's line) - focusing on physical attractiveness (see 6:1-2).  Contrast this with God's decision to select and anoint David as king based on his heart condition vs physical features (see 1 Samuel 16:7).  David lived to find favor in God's eyes.  Similarly, Noah did as well and while scripture does not discuss it my study* indicates Noah faced "undoubted ridicule" for constructing the ark as God commanded it.  Yet Noah "did all that God commanded" - we should strive for such a life.  We must remember that we don't exist to please earthly beings but instead to glorify God.

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) . Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and I DO seek to please and glorify You - You have blessed me well beyond what I deserve....I often fail to glorify You and am seduced by the world.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin torwards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to accept You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin and help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But the Lord said to him, “Not so; anyone who kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.” Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him.

Genesis 4-5

But the Lord said to him, “Not so; anyone who kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.” Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him. 4:15

Day 2 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith).

This morning's study focuses on the first family of creation with the birth of Cain and Abel (later on with Seth).  The study continues through the birth of 10 successive generations through Noah and his sons.  The study highlights the story of Cain and Able and their offerings to God where Abel's offering is pleasing to the Lord (4:4) yet Cain's is not (4:5).  Cain is punished but like Adam and Eve they are spared their lives and Cain is protected by the mark God places on him (4:15).  The study focuses on God's mercy indicating*:

"Although God punishes Cain for his wrongdoing, the text gives some interesting insight into the character of God by indicating that, despite Cain’s great sin, God nevertheless shows mercy to him. This is not to be a unique act of grace. God’s mercy will be seen time and again. Unfortunately, Cain apparently does not respond favorably to God’s mercy, at least if his descendants are any reflection of Cain’s continued character."

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) . Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition. 

Questions worth reflection include (1) to what extent have we experienced God's mercy - I am only on day two of my year-long study and I have already encountered two great instances of God's mercy! (2) to what extent am I grateful and do I respond appropriately in worship of God's mercy?

Think about what could have been the result of Cain's life should he repented of his sin and turned towards God - there are ample examples of repentance and how God used sinners (all of us) to bring others to Him.  Think Moses and Paul (both murderers!).  Another great example is Chuck Colson - from Watergate to Prison Fellowship - what a turn!

This is the nature of God's mercy - we don't deserve it, but God time and time again pours out it for us, including through death on the cross of His Son Jesus!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of mercy for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving - I grumble and complain and often gossip - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin and help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.

Genesis 1-3

The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life. v21-24

Having long desired to do so, I began a chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith).

Of note from my reading this morning - consequences of sin include:

• sin produces shame* - see Genesis 3:6-7 for Adam and Eve's shame of their nakedness.
• sin produces fear* - see Genesis 3:8-10 where Adam and Eve hide from God in fear of punishment.
• sin produces blame* - see Genesis 3:11-13 where Adam blames Eve and Eve blames the serpent.

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) . Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition. 

None of these consequences are good for us and of course sin separates us from God.  But as believers we know that God sent His Son Jesus for us because He loves us and does not want us to be without Him.  We get a glimpse of God's abounding love and grace in Genesis 3:21 where He clothes Adam and Eve and while He does banish them from the Garden of Eden, He spares their lives.  God is good indeed.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are good indeed!  I know You are good and You have poured out blessings on me well beyond what I deserve.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessings.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.

Revelation 22:6-21

Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. v14

Session #13 of David Platt - Revelation: The Hope of Glory (requires login which I have though my church) focuses on Revelation 22.  The title of the session is The End of the Beginning - this is the final session of the series.

The end of Revelation is just the beginning of a story where every chapter is better than the one before. Recap of Revelation:

• Not intended for hopeless speculation about the future; purpose is to fuel hopeful obedience in the present - 2 Peter 3 is another example of an exhortation of hopeful obedience.  We should undergo major examination of our lives.
• See the world in all of its deception; do not put your hope in government (the beast); do not put your hope in religion (false prophets); do not put your hope in material affluence and social acceptance (the prostitute) - don't base your life in things that don't matter!
• See the Christ in all of His glory; fully human and fully divine; fulfillment of prophecy and the final high priest; infinitely old and wise; sees all knows all and reigns over all; cannot hide anything from Him; purity has no error and His power knows no equal; His voice resounds with authority and His face radiates with light; He was dead for a time but He is alive for all time; He is the conquering Lion and the slaughtered Lamb; His worth is undisputed, His work is unforgettable, and His worship is universal; his birth declared the death of ancient serpent, His death deranged the adversary, and His resurrection demolished every accusation against the church; He is faithful and true; He is the righteous Judge and Messianic warrior;many crowns adorn His head and much mystery surrounds His name; He conquers God's enemies and He reveals God's Word; His grace is free and His joy is full!  He is the Savior who came once, and He is the Sovereign who is coming back soon (mentioned 3x in this chapter and time is near); He is the King of kings and Lord of lords; no one and nothing compares to Him.
• See the church in all her beauty; we are His body and bride.
• See your life in proper perspective; fight against sin! resist compromise; refuse complacency; God promises blessing for faithful and judgment for those who fall away; endure amidst suffering - do not be surprised by it; do not be overcome in it; Jesus is present with you, possesses you, has a purpose for you; proclaim gospel is Christ to everyone You know, to ends of earth; hasten the coming of Christ - give us unwavering holiness in this world with unshakable hope in the world to come!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus - You are unshakable hope - thank You Jesus for the hope that You provide.  I am not deserving for the blessings You pour out for me, including the hope and peace You provide.  Please forgive me for my sin...it is daily.  Help me turn from my sin towards You and help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Revelation 21-22:5

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:3-4

Session #12 of David Platt - Revelation: The Hope of Glory (requires login which I have though my church) focuses on Revelation 21-22:5.  The title of the session is The Consummation of the Kingdom.

We live in between two worlds:

• pilgrims on a journey in this country today.
• citizens of a kingdom in a country to come.

 We live between two times:

• the birth of Christ; kingdom of God has come and is a present reality.
• the return of Christ; the king of God is coming and His kingdom is our future.

We live for one purpose for the glory of God...meaning it is glorified when God's kingdom is consummated; people who are ruled and a place where the King has dominion, and purpose for the King and His kingdom.  Revelation is the culmination of the Bible - all of history pointing to this point.

• Creation: Genesis 1-2 | people (His blessing), fellowship (perfect), purpose (God's glory multiplied to all peoples)
• The Fall: Genesis 3-11 | disrupted fellowship (place), God's glory marred
• Patriarchs: Genesis 12-50 | place and promised fellowship
• Exodus and Conquest: Exodus - 1 Samuel 8 God and His place | tabernacle (place)
• United Monarchy: 1 Samuel 9 - 1 Kings 11; 1 Chronicles - 2 Chronicles 9: God with His people | temple (place)
• Divided Monarchy: 1 Kings 12 - 2 Kings; 2 Chronicles 10 - Esther - God with His people | exile (place)
• Jesus: Matthew - John - God among His people | incarnation (place)
• Present: Acts - Jude - God IN His people | body (place)
• New Creation: Revelation - God's final blessing and judgement

We give our lives to this kingdom - the climax of this story. Revelation 21:6 - "It is done".

It will be the end in two ways:

• inexpressible joy; Heaven exemplifies God's eternal blessing for conquerors who have turned from this world to Christ.
• irreversible justice; Hell exemplifies God's eternal judgement for cowards who have turned from Christ to this world.

We're going to dwell forever in the in-most place with the Holy God of the universe! Revelation 21:3

Death will be replaced by life!  Revelation 21:4

No more sin.  No more sorrow.  No more sickness.  No more separation. Tree of life - exists as blessing - no longer as curse Revelation 22:2-3

We will see His face! Revelation 22:4 We will reign with Him bodily resurrected - all creation will be restored. Every nation, people, tribe, and tongue living, loving, working, and worshiping together. Unified songs: worthy is the lamb! Glory to our God!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God indeed and it gives me great peace and excitement to KNOW that You have already defeated death and that I will reign with You forever in Heaven!  Thank You Jesus for reserving a place for me.  I am not deserving.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

Revelation 20

Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. v6

Session #11 of David Platt - Revelation: The Hope of Glory (requires login which I have though my church) focuses on Revelation 20.  The title of the session is What Ultimately Matters Regarding the Millennium.

This chapter is widely disputed and is possibly THE most widely disputed in this book. There are many aspects of this the chapter where meaning and interpretation are difficult to discern - yet once again we should not miss the broader theme or core messages of this book.

Where we need to start today:  it is sanctifying to disagree about the millennium. Greats have all disagreed about these things and we should approach this chapter with humility.  It is sin to divide over the millennium.

Uncertainties about this chapter (additional perspectives by John Piper) and the millennium:

• are these passages arranged chronologically or cyclically?
• is the millennium before Christ's return or after; is it now/in the present or in the future?
• is the millennium 1000 years?
• will the millennium involve a spiritual resurrection of Christians to reign on earth or Heaven during the millennium?

For certain:

• Christ has come once and Satan has been bound/restrained; saints - you are not defeated! Satan could not stop Christ and cannot stop Christians (Revelation 12)
• We are IN the millennium; Christians who are alive now reign with Christ on earth; Satan cannot keep the church from proclaiming the gospel, and he cannot keep the nations from believing the gospel.
•  Christians who have died now reign with Christ in Heaven; they are worshiping God as priests while they rule with Christ as judge.
• Christ will come again, and Satan will be obliterated - Revelation 20; after the final period of revolt, there will be a final point of Satanic defeat.
• The return of Christ will usher in full and final judgment, once and for all.

What is absolutely clear in God's word forever:

• God is sovereign
• Satan is subordinate; he limited and bound, and doomed to be defeated
• Gospel will advance through the church
• Jesus will return for the church
• Every single will one of us will be judged by God - Revelation 12:12; two questions will be prevalent - (Book of Deeds and Book of Life ) (1) did we put our faith in Christ's work? (2) was their evidence (fruit) of faith in our work?  Were we faithful in our worship, witness? Did we fight against sin? Did we trust amidst suffering?  Two destinations await = either eternal torment OR everlasting joy with Him forever.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You reign - in the beginning, in the past, now, in the future and forevermore!  You died for me and all of humanity - after living a perfect sinless life.  Thank You Jesus!  I am undeserving.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”

Revelation 19

“Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries.  He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” Revelation 19:1-2

Session #10 of David Platt - Revelation: The Hope of Glory (requires login which I have though my church) focuses on Revelation 19.

Jesus arrives! The battle is over!  This is where all of eternity is headed.

• Core message of this chapter: man centered worldliness will ultimately be overcome by God-centered worship - 19:10.
• God orchestrates all of history to display His glory v1, 3, 4, 6 - only time in NT when Hallelujah is mentioned.
• Goal to which all history is headed is glory of God.
• God ordains all of His people to enjoy His glory - our deepest satisfaction/delight/joy is found not in this world but in God.
• Bow before the splendor of God the Father; He is victorious/glorious/omnipotent/just/eternal/mighty (almighty mentioned 9 times)/sovereign - 7:10, 12:10, 19:2, Psalm 149:1-6, Revelation 6:9-11; do not play around with the justice of God
• Behold the supremacy of Christ the Son 19:11-16 (not on a donkey but a war horse), faithful and true, righteous, Messianic warrior 9:15, sees everything; many crowns on His head (Revelation 12, 13 show Satan playing king but this is to seduce us - but this is NOT so), much mystery to His name 19:12, He conquers God's enemy (see also Isaiah 63), He ends the history of this world (but there is not battle!), He rules the nations of this world 19:15, brings God's wrath upon this world - upon sinful men and women, Satanic agents and ambassadors! (19:17-21), He is the King of kings and Lord of lords 19:16
• Let's revere Him 19:5! No room for casual worship!
• Let's rejoice Him 19:7-8
• Let's be ready for His coming! Walk by faith by Him! Remain faithful despite persecution, by enduring, obeying, completing mission, etc. and work by grace from Him (Philippians 2); we live surrounded by adulterous Babylon - walk in righteousness only by the grace of God
• 19:14 Jesus returns and He is not alone - we know from all of the NT that He is coming back to participate in His reign forever - let's by ready!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has saved me from eternal damnation - You are King of kings and Lord of Lords!  I am grateful.  Yet I am undeserving.  My sin is daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered. The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn....

Revelation 17-18

The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered. The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn....Revelation 18:14-15

Session #9 of David Platt - Revelation: The Hope of Glory (requires login which I have though my church) focuses on Revelation 17-18.

The focus for this session is not just the judgement of the world in the final days but a warning about the danger of worldly desires.

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.  1 John 2:15-17

Revelation 17-18 is a pictorial illustration of 1 John 2:15-17.  These are words that we in the USA need to here - worldly, comfortable Christians.  Hear the invitation of God to repent and turn from the ways of the world and enjoy fellowship with God.

What is going on with these chapters and takeaways:

• 17:1-5 attractive woman who symbolizes worldly seduction and a symbol of infidelity/idolatry/immorality; woman is sitting on a beast the symbolizes worldly persecution; sevens heads symbolizing seven mountains and seven heads; ten horns symbolizing ten kings > persecution of the world and seduction of the world
• the woman is devoured by the beast - end of chapter 17:15-18 according to the purpose of God; the woman disappears from the earth; Babylon and seduction of world in chapter 18 also destroyed > all as judgement of God
• this world is full of deceptive attractions - sensual pleasures, material possessions, promise of satisfaction, hope of security (18:7), insatiable lust for power, subtle lure of pride (...mentions of "great")
• this world is headed to a definite conclusion (18:2); this world will be destroyed completely, suddenly, eternally
• Sin is self destructive and eventually damning - always destroys (see also Proverbs 7);  Satan is a destroyer who knows he is inevitably doomed
• Hear the gracious warning of God! 17:14 Jesus is the conquering lamb; He calls us to be saved; God is Holy and we deserve destruction but He can save us forever!  With His overcoming power, He calls us who are saved to be faithful
• Do not love the world or anything in it; love for God and the world cannot coexist! Love for the world pushes out love for God.  Love for God pushes out love for the world!  Infinite joy has been offered to us!  Don't buy what the world is offering!
• Every one of us has a choice; love things of this world - if we do, our pleasures will always be fleeting; destiny will be hell; OR we can love the God over this world who reigns supreme over this world and our pleasure will be unfading!  Our security will always be in Heaven!

My Prayer: Jesus, I have experienced the pleasure of Your Kingdom and is satisfying beyond what we can experience of this world - thank You Jesus for giving me this taste.  Yet I am not deserving of how You have adopted me into Your family.  I often fall prey to the tempations fo this world - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from these sins and love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me endure...patiently...and cling to You!  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues—last, because with them God’s wrath is completed. And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its name.

Revelation 15-16

I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues—last, because with them God’s wrath is completed. And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its name. Revelation 15:1-2

Session #8 of David Platt - Revelation: The Hope of Glory (requires login which I have though my church) focuses on Revelation 15-16.

Quick Review of book and what has been covered so far in Revelation - apocalyptic visions filled with prophetic pronouncements written as letter to 1st century church.  Climax of all prophecies in the Bible.  Implications for all churches throughout history.  Not intended to create divisions in the church through various interpretations, instead to provide unshakable hope and encouragement as we endure to avoid sin and seduction.  It refutes deception and encourages mission.  The book should drive us to Christ.

These visions include various symbols and numbers (which often lead to various interpretations) - we should avoid too much focus on any interpretation but instead grab hold of the core truths of this book and gospel - to which we should all agree.

Visions are arranged cyclically, not chronologically.  Seven letters, seals, trumpets, visions, bowls...with each cycle things intensify.

God will one day pour out His wrath fully and finally on the earth and everyone will drink His judgement forever.

How do we worship God in His wrath?  We can understand in the following context.

1. We must start with a high view of God; song in Revelation 3; God is sovereign over all.
2. God is feared by all.  King of all nations.  
3. God is glorified above all.  
4. God is Holy in all of His attributes.
5. God is righteous in all of His ways.
6. God is loving toward all His creation.

We then move to a humble view of man (who has denounced the sovereignty of God, who has disregarded the fear of God, who has defamed the glory of God, who has dishonored the holiness of God, who has despised the righteousness of God, who has denied the love of God) leading us to a view where God is infinitely worthy of eternal worship! Man is infinitely deserving of God's eternal wrath!

Land on the hope of the gospel!  God has sent His Son - Jesus Christ - who died for sinners.  God expressed His wrath towards sin so that believers would be spared.  At the cross, God has endured His wrath against sin, enabling salvation for sinners.

Don't underestimate the seriousness of Your sin - repent!

Followers of Christ - walk in purity and endure!  Witness with urgency. Worship with sincerity!  His wrath is not just evidence of His anger but also His love.  God's love without wrath would be indifferent.  Love requires wrath - to oppose that which destroys what we love.  God's justice without wrath would be ineffective. God's love, justice and wrath together are indescribable.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who is worthy of worship indeed both because of Your love and Your justice - both of which are perfect and Holy.  Thank You for adopting me into Your family and saving me from eternal damnation.  I am not deserving.  I gossip and have other sin - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You and help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus. Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.”

Revelation 12-15

This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus. Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” Revelation 14:12-13

Session #7 of  David Platt - Revelation: The Hope of Glory (requires login which I have though my church) focuses on Revelation 12-15.

Broad reflections from Platt's recent mission trip as context and as lead for this study today: We are ordinary believers doing extraordinary things with God's Word for God's glory...making disciples, multiplying churches.  The point is not to coast out our comfortable Christian life! We must multiply...knowing the cost is great!  Just like the 1st century church who serves as the original audience for Revelation...believing that the reward is great.  We cannot do business as usual.

Revelation "pulls back the curtains" to help us understand that nothing in this world happens naturally and that scientific explanation is not the key to all dilemmas most importantly sin and salvation; all is controlled by and tied to a supernatural being - God Himself.  We are caught up in a cosmic battle between God and sin. Chapters 12-15 include seven visions or signs that play out in this battle:

• 12:1 and 12:3 Satan has been conquered by Christ the Savior and is being conquered by Christians as they suffer.  Woman is the picture of people of God (church) spanning the Bible (OT, NT).  The child is Jesus.  Red dragon is Satan (evil).  Birth of Christ declares the death of the ancient serpent (from Genesis 3).  Satan kept trying to disrupt God's plan to defeat sin but the death of Christ defanged the adversary; and the resurrection of Christ demolished all his accusations against the church. From the very entrance of sin, God promised to send His Son to defeat evil and sin and Jesus accomplished what no one else could do.  Satan goes after the church (12:13-17) but is defeated! When Satan attempts to use suffering and persecution to defeat Christians, he ultimately contributes to their eternal delight and his own eternal destruction (Philippians 1).
• 13:1 Satan works through government that functions as divine authority instead of divine authority; God permits the beast to curse His name, crush His people, and control the nations (13:5-7).  But we should be encouraged - see 13:8-10; Satan deceives through teachers who look like friends (13:11 - "like a lamb") yet speak like enemies, stimulating idolatry while slaying the innocent.  He massacres all who refuse him.  But remember, there will always be a price to pay for believers who refuse to worship the ways of this world.  He (Satan) marks (with an incomplete number 666 vs 7 that represents Jesus) all who follow him. 
• 14:1 Faithful followers of Christ will one day stand boldly with Him, sing loudly to Him and be satisfied completely in Him (14:4). This is the reward of uncompromising purity in the world. 14:5 This is the reward of unapologetic proclamation of the gospel.  Who we worship on earth determines where we go in eternity. 14:6 All who indulge in the enticing wine of this world will one day drink from the everlasting wrath of God. 14:9-11 Wake up non believers to what awaits you eternally!  Yet hope for believers - All who endure amid the trials and temptations of this world will one day enter into the rest and relief of God.  14:12-13
• 14:14 The judgment of God is inevitable and intense. He will harvest all the saints who trust in Him. He will tread every sinner who turns from Him.  Everyone will one day come face to face with God.
• 15:2-4 Soon all saints throughout history will rejoice together in the song of the redeemed. Conquering Christians will shout as they consider God's incomprehensible works. Conquering Christians will sing as they behold God's incomparable worth.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who is with us TODAY to help with our struggles against the forces of this world and You have saved believers from the wrath promised during the end times - thank You Jesus for adopting me into Your family.  I am not deserving of such a gift - I continue to gossip, worry, etc. Please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply your message for me today and every day.  Help me also snatch others from the fire!

“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.”

Revelation 8-11

“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.” Revelation 11:15

Session #6 of  David Platt - Revelation: The Hope of Glory (requires login which I have though my church) focuses on Revelation 8-11. 

Key Reminder: The purpose of this book, is not to promote speculation about the future; we must be compelled to act in the present. 

Chapters 8-11, use trumpet blasts to warn of coming judgement and to signal salvation/victory. These trumpets use imagery use similar imagery from the Egyptian plagues (Exodus 7-13) and Joshua's victory at Jericho.  These trumpets represent:

• 1-4: systematic physical judgements across creation; do not put your ultimate hope in created things
• 5-6: terrifying personal judgments for idolatry and immorality (8:13); woe spoken to unbelievers throughout Revelation; demonic forces unleashed under the authority of God; third of mankind wiped out (9:15); despite harmful effects of idolatry and immorality rebellion continues (9:20-21) - this is a scene today!
• God is giving the world warning!  Turn from sin!
• God is calling the church to war; we are not at peace time with the spiritual forces of evil.

Revelation written to compel us to act in two ways:  

• Fervently pray for God's kingdom to come
• Fearlessly proclaim God's gospel to all

Our battle is fierce and the spiritual demons want to destroy us.  However, our prayers are effective (8:2) - return of Jesus and judgement is result of our prayers!  Our cries go up and His kingdom comes down!

Our God is faithful - responds to our prayers.  He will demonstrate His power over the gods of this world. He will vindicate His people amid opposition in this world.  He will extend His mercy to sinners around the world.  He will uphold his justice amid sin in this world.

We must fearlessly proclaim God's gospel to all.  In chapters 8-11, words prophet and prophecized repeatedly used representing how God's people proclaim God's word and truth in the midst of judgement.  Although our suffering is expected, our lives are secure (11:18)!  Out task is prophetic!  Don't stay silent!  Our message is clear!  Our light is unquenchable and our souls are touchable (11:5-6).  Our power is invincible and our death during the end times will be temporary (11:11-12).  Our resurrection will be sure! V15 represents how our mission will be complete and our God will be glorified! We will behold His majesty! His judgement will be final and His servants will be rewarded and His enemies destroyed.  We will be welcomed by His mercy.

My Prayer: Jesus - You are indeed a great God and Your will reign forever and ever and I am grateful that You have adopted me into Your family!  I am not deserving of salvation as I still sin!  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.”....‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’

Revelation 6-7

“Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.”....‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’ Revelation 7:3...16-17

Session #5 of  David Platt - Revelation: The Hope of Glory (requires login which I have though my church) focuses on Revelation 6-7, as the intensity of the last days unfolds for both unbelievers who are damned and believers who are saved.  Broadly speaking, Platt indicates that we must approach this book with proper humility; there are a variety of interpretations and disagreements over Revelation, but this should never drive us towards division or despair.  We can all agree, regardless of our interpretation, that God always wins!

Key Reminders:

• Concerning the church...in essentials, we must have unity (we believe these central truths...)
• In non-essentials, such as with practical views on alcohol, schooling, interpretations of other aspects of Bible that remain mystery such as Revelation, we can have freedoms - avoid division 

 Regarding Revelation

• The arrangement of the book seems cyclical, not chronological (not meant to be read as day-to-day sequence of events); think cycles and spirals
• Visions gradually build towards climactic consummation
• Timing involves the last days - only point where something definitive is available - beginning of last days started when Jesus rose from the grave as His kingdom has come and continues to unfold (in between first and second coming)
• Theme is gospel of Jesus Christ; all visions given to us to primarily to encourage, exhort and compel us to believe and hold fast; rise up and be faithful and to patiently endure

Four Gospel Truths

• God is ultimately sovereign over evil; all permissions and power given (or allowed) under authority of God; Satan can do nothing apart from divine permission; suffering is always used to fulfill divine purposes
• Men and women are morally responsible for evil; men and women are decidedly sinful and dangerously self-destructive; sinfulness of man comes full circle; men and women deserve death
• God will judge men and women who turn from Him and live for this world; scope of His judgement will be cosmic; breadth of His judgement will be universal (and terrifying!) (6:12-17); duration of His judgement will be eternal
• God will save men and women who trust in Him and live for another world (chapter 7); Christians are secure on earth in the midst of tribulation; God plans the persecution of His people; God promises protection for His people; God has you sealed for eternity! God empowers perseverance for His people; Christians will stand in Heaven at the end of tribulation; They will shout God's victory; They will soak in God's glory; they will be satisfied by God's goodness and soothed by God's mercy (7:14-17)

 Practical Takeaways

• Non Christians should repent of sin with urgency and believe; Christians should stop toying with sin today!
• Proclaim the gospel with urgency!
• Humbly cry out for God's justice amidst persecution! 
• Confidently cry out for God's mercy amidst suffering!
• Build your life and family on that which lasts forever!
• Spend and sacrifice your resources on that which brings eternal reward!
• Remember that this world is not our home!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, who has saved a placed for myself and all believers in Heaven...for eternity!  Thank You Jesus!  Yet I am not deserving of such blessings.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”

Revelation 4-5

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” v13

Session #4 of  David Platt - Revelation: The Hope of Glory (requires login which I have though my church) focuses on Revelation 4-5 which Platt refers to as two of the most glorious books of Bible as all creatures in the universe give glory and ceaseless praise to God!

Core takeaway of this session: how does God motivate people to run from sin and to hold fast to Him, to spend lives making Gospel known?  He does this by showing us the battle of God vs evil in light of who God is in ALL of His glory.. 

Portrait of the glory of God, The Father, The Spirit, the Trinity

• God the Father: sits at center of universe - everything!
• Surrounded by unending praise (4:8-11)
• Judge of every man (4:5)
• He tempers wrath with mercy
• Holy above all
• Power over all
• Infinitely timeless (4:8)
• Infinitely glorious
• Supreme, sustainer, sovereign over all things (4:11, 5:1)
• Conquering lion
• Slaughtered lamb (standing) (5:6)
• His worth is undisputed (5:9, 12)
• His work is unforgettable
• His worship is universal 
• Omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent
• He enacts judgement
• He enables salvation
• God is three persons; each person is fully God; there is one God

Because God is infinitely glorious - 10,000 years from now, there will be more glory to be explored!

God will NEVER be boring!

Glory of God:

1. Compel us to receive salvation; God holds the future glorification of believers in His hand; holds final damnation of unbelievers in His hand (3:21).
2. Empowers us to escape temptation; we overcome idolatry by glimpsing a greater God.  We fight immortality through fulfillment in our Father.
3. Enables us to endure tribulation; God is in control; our enemy has been conquered; our suffering will one day conclude.
4. Motivates us to accomplish mission; let's pray passionately (5:8); give sacrificially; go confidently; die willingly.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are glorious indeed and while I have only received a glimpse of Your glory - I am compelled, empowered, enabled, and motivated to grow in my love and service of You.  Thank You Jesus!  Yet I am not deserving of the blessings and love You pour out for me.  I sin...daily and need You to forgive me and intervene daily on my behalf.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

Tony Evans: The Power of Jesus' Names - Lord and King

For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Romans 14:7-8

In preparation for Sunday school tomorrow morning, I watched session #2 of the above mentioned Tony Evans series (RightNow Media requires login which I have though my church).  The core message is that while believers may accept Jesus as their King, we may not submit to His authority and be obedient to His rule.  

Recognizing Jesus as our King gets us into Heaven but submitting to Jesus' authority and playing by his rules brings Heaven to earth giving us all the benefits of His rule in our life.  We can't expect the benefits of His rule without living by His rules.

Evans uses the analogy of a restaurant buffet where we can pick and choose how we are obedient to Jesus - submitting certain parts of our life to Him but not others.

I have personally experienced what it is like to recognize Jesus as my King without submitting to Him.   Once I began to submit to Jesus, that's when my world changed and I did indeed begin to experience some of the benefits of His rule.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has brought Heaven to earth and I HAVE participated in His reign - thank You Jesus!  I am blessed.  Yet I am undeservring of such love and blessings.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Revelation 2-3

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. v19-22

Session #3 of  David Platt - Revelation: The Hope of Glory (requires login which I have though my church) focuses on Revelation 2-3. Jesus does not pamper His people but confronts, warns, challenges us - He gives us words because we are at war fighting a daily battle with sin, evil, and suffering temptation every day for our marriages, families, homes, hearts, etc - a raging battle exists for our souls and we must be prepared to rise to the challenge.  Jesus wants us to walk with purity, to  walk with the Gospel because something greater than life on earth here is at stake - life for eternity is at stake and we should not fall away - instead we must stand ready.  Jesus provides words that comfort and strengthen us in the battle so that we can stand and fight with deep conviction.

In chapters 2-3, Jesus writes letters to seven churches commending and rebuking them, warning and commanding them, but also encouraging them.

Platt also wants us to understand more broadly:

1. Jesus knows us truly - we cannot hide anything; Revelation 3:1
2. Jesus loves us deeply; even in the most stern and strong moments He still loves us and He disciplines us out of love
3. Jesus guards us zealously
4. Jesus uses us purposely; He wants to send us out to the front lines of the battle against Satan, sin, and evil so others would know his grace, etc. 

In his words to these we are encouraged to fight this battle all the way to the end.

Jesus commends us the seven churches for:

• faithful perseverance; in chapters 2-3 endurance and or perseverance is referenced 5 times in these chapters; for guarding the church internally (for example from false teachers in Ephesus see Revelation 2:6); for advancing church externally
• for faithful proclamation of the name of Christ in the midst of persecution religiously, economically, socially, and governmentally; be aware that today it is increasingly common in our culture for believers to be labeled dangerous and evil and we must not shirk back!  
• trusting God amidst testing (see Revelation 2:10); God allows or ordains suffering for testing of saints throughout the Bible (examples: Jesus in the wilderness, Paul's thorn in side, Joseph in Egypt); Satan is subordinate and although he intends suffering to sabotage us, God is sovereign and uses suffering to sanctify us
• for loving God among temptation and for walking in purity 

Jesus rebukes five of the seven churches for: 

• for compromise; tolerance for evil idolatry and immorality (Revelation 2:14, 2:20); tolerance of error false teaching and teachers; tolerance for sake of financial gain, social acceptance, and personal safety
• for complacency; lukewarm faith (Revelation 3:14-20); church in Laodicea marked itself for self-sufficiency and self-satisfaction; Sardis failed to complete works of God (Revelation 3:2)

Overall, the most dominant commendation is proclaiming Jesus in the face of persecution and the most dominant rebuke is shrinking back from proclaiming Jesus in the face of persecution (example is Ephesus, see Acts 19:10 and Revelation 2:4-5)

Jesus leaves us with two commands (1) to remember who we are (identity in Christ) and what Jesus says, (2) to repent and turn from sin and to trust in Jesus.

We are encouraged to receive and find treasure in Jesus, clothe our life in Jesus, and to fix our eyes on Jesus (see Revelation 2:5, 2:16, 2:22, 3:3, and 3:16).  We are warned from falling away (see also Hebrews 3:14-17) and when we waver, don't fall away. By grace through faith true followers will persevere and work to the end (see Matthew 24, Hebrews 10:36).  Those who fall away were not truly with us to begin with (see 1 John 2:19).

We are promised incredible rewards if we fight and work to the end; secure protection from the horror of hell; shared participation in reign of Christ, permanent citizenship in the city of God which will never be shaken and enjoy perpetual feasting and celebration

• I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. Revelation 2:7
• The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death. Revelation 2:11
• To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it. Revelation 2:17
• To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations... I will also give that one the morning star. Revelation 2:26, 28
• The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. Revelation 3:5
• The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. Revelation 3:12
• To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Revelation 3:21 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I know You love me and Your words of warning, rebuke, and discipline are out of love - thank You Jesus!  I know You love me and You will never leave or forsake me.  I am not deserving of such love.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades".

Revelation 1

Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades". v17-18

Session #2 of  David Platt - Revelation: The Hope of Glory (requires login which I have though my church) focuses on Revelation 1:9-20.  Platt reminds us, as he did in the introductory video message, that we should avoid over analyzing the imagery of Revelation but instead grab hold of the over-arching messages Christ sought to convey to the 1st century church which was in the midst of great persecution.  Revelation is the "most majestic portrait of Jesus ever"; we have an indescribable Christ in all of His glory and an "unshakeable foundation for our lives" which should encourage us today, especially if we are weak, sorrowful, confused, afraid, weary, timid, etc.

Takeaways from session #2:

• We are a family of brothers and sisters in Christ that spans generations, locations, etc.; an army engaged in battle; John writes to seven churches during a period of intense persecution; and we share (companion) in sufferings (that we experience from obedience to God) - see v9; this suffering does not cease; we are not following a "health and wealth" savior; Christ is suffering savior and we are suffering saints; John for example is exiled on Patmos 
• Although there is a price to be paid for following Christ we should not stop proclaiming His Word (Revelation 6:9, 12:17, 20:4) as we participate in Christ's reign, experience victory over sin and death and lead others to Christ; John writes to us to endure (see also Romans 8:28-30  Romans 6, Philippians 1:12-14) we experience victory over sin and lead others to salvation we endure in power of christ - John writes to us to encourage patient endurance
• We can endure patiently by participating in Christ's reign and by fully appreciating the majestic portrait of Christ as written in v12-16; these attributes include
• Jesus as man
• Jesus as God
• Infinitely wise with knowledge of all things who searches our hearts and is aware of all we may like to hide
• Is the Alpha and Omega (see references)
• Holy with no error
• No equal
• Voice that resounds with authority over all things
• Declares eternal salvation 
• Decrees final judgement 
• Face radiates with light
• Has both the first and last word with creation (Colossians 1) - the sole force behind all of human history 
• Was dead for a time but alive for all time; 
• Death controlled by him (v18)
• No one or nothing compares to Him  
• Just as prophesied in Zechariah 4, He is in our midst, present among us just as with the seven churches and using churches as light to world  - He holds us, guards us, possesses us, protects and guides us, and has a purpose for us to be a light to the world.

We should feel compelled to fall down in worship; non Christians should have much fear; Christians should not have fear but should rise up as witnesses, compelling us to radically complete our mission given to us by Him.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You ARE majestic and I know You ARE in my midst - thank You Jesus for standing with me.  I am not deserving of such a God.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.